http://reno.craigslist.org/spo/5503452686.html

Saw this online but looks like somebody sand blasted it. Just for fun what would a #15 go for if in good condition? in this condition?

In my opinion, his price of $1600.00 to $2000.00 is too high. I don't think it is worth more than $1000.00. Maybe not even that much.

OC Newhouse traps were last made in the early 1920s, so it might not be as old as he says.

# 15 Newhouse in decent condition aren't that rare. They come up for sale on a regular basis.

That trap has a pre patent date pan.,,

That trap, if the springs are strong and marked well, even sandblasted should be worth 500-600. A "Beautiful Example" would maybe bring 1000 or so, barring any rare variants.

sold on Ebay 2/7/16 for $2500

sold on Ebay 2/17/16 for $1950

sold on Ebay 12/2/15 for $1400

Not singling anyone out here but I've noticed that a lot of trap appraisers don't consider ebay sales a true market. I say in this day and time it is the true market. Yea ebay will shut some of the bear trap sales down but a lot them make it through and when they do they often do well. I think a lot of the old time dealers aren't liking this as they can't get bear traps for nothing anymore. Okay, bash away.

eBay is one way of determing trap values but I'm not sure it is "the true market"

Auction setting, whether it be in person or on line, is totally different than walking into a retail store or buying on a web site. I'm not sure if comparing the 2 is fair.

In an auction setting, you have 2 or more people that all want the same item. In some cases, they want the item no matter the cost. Bidding against each other drives the price up. At some point, all but one of the bidders drops out and the item sells. Does that selling price indicate the "true value" of that item or is it a snap shot of what that particular item was worth on that particular day under those particular circumstances.

The 3 traps that are referenced by TurkeyWramgler are all bear traps that sold for very good prices. In fact prices that are higher than you would pay in a retail setting. Does that mean every bear trap that is similar to the ones sold is worth that price. I don't think so.

Ebay can get pretty wild at times. Below is an example of 3 different traps that receintly sold on Ebay:


sold for $33

sold for $51

solf for $374

Quite a bit of difference there in prices. Sure the expensive one is better than the other two but not 8-10 times as valuable. Gun Brokers, CraigsList, local acutions, and private sellers are not always on the same page with pricing. Local auctions around where I live are higher than Ebay and the others from what I've experienced. But as Ebay is the easiest place to get sales information it may become the standard for pricing. Online auctions change a lot of assumptions on rarity and levels out regional price differences of the past.

It all varies so much. When it comes down to it a trap is only worth what someone is willing pay. Some buyers will pay anything as long as they win the trap. It would be tough to use ebay as the standard when a ebay "price guide" would list a trap in the range of $30 to $375.....give or take. Oh and good luck trying to find an excellent example of a Newhouse bear trap for under $1000.

Pat tc I remember watching that #1 sell for the $374....crazy

Okay, NAFA sets the fur market at auction but ebay doesn't. Got it.

NAFA doesn't set the market for furs. It is one source for information on what the fur market is doing.

EBay doesn't set the market on used trap prices. It is one source for information on what used traps are worth.

End of discussion from my perspective. Have fun.